Several yellow and amber weather warnings have been issued in the UK between Thursday and Sunday. Alerts for snow have hit England, Wales and Northern Ireland, while Scotland has been told to prepare for an arctic blast.
The Met Office‘s long-range forecast for this period warns of snowfall – as “bands of rain” move in from the Atlantic and “encounter the cold air entrenched over the UK”, with central and eastern areas at particular risk.
These weather conditions are likely to cause travel disruption, with the Met Office warning that delays in air and train traffic should be expected.
Meanwhile, some rural conditions could become cut off due to snow and ice.Because of this, it’s recommended for some to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. This is because cold weather conditions could risk accidents, including people slipping on the ice.
In the UK, more than 7,000 people are admitted to hospital each year due to falls on snow or ice, according to the NHS Information Centre. So to help, the NHS has now shared what to do if you, or someone else slips on ice this winter.
Taking to its official Instagram page, the NHS went on to share top tips on what to do if you, or someone else, slips on ice this winter. It also outlined how to know if you need to call an ambulance.
“If you or someone else has fallen, try to stay calm,” they wrote at the start of the post.
Instead of immedietly calling the emergency services for help, the first thing you should do is to assess and check for any pain or injuries. You must also see if the person who fell can get back up.
If you find that the person is injured or in pain, call 111 or get help from 111’s online service. They will be able to tell you the best course of action – and whether or not the person who fell need medical attention.
However, if the person who slipped injured their head, neck, back, or hip and cannot get up, you should immedietly call 999 to get an ambulance.
How to prevent slipping on ice
In 2024, the NHS went viral after telling people to ‘waddle like a penguin’ in order to prevent slipping and falling on ice.
While it may feel silly and unnatural, if it prevents you from serious injury in these icy conditions, then it’s got to be worth a try – right?
The advice includes bending your knees slightly to keep them loose, pointing your feet slightly outwards, extending your arms and then slowly waddling forwards with flat feet.
Laura Halcrow, Falls Prevention Lead at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “It might look funny, but waddling really works. A slip-on ice can cause painful injuries and even hospital stays, especially for older people.
“We’re asking everyone to share this advice with friends and family, particularly those who may be less steady on their feet. Take two minutes to find a waddle buddy, have a laugh, and stay safe together.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
